More Than $1 Million Going into New East Arlington Restaurant
Menotomy Grill and Tavern is slated for the old Hollywood Video space on Massachusetts Avenue.
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A new restaurant is coming to East Arlington.
Menotomy Grill and Tavern, which is set for the old Hollywood Video space at 25 Massachusetts Ave., received operating and all-alcohol licenses Monday from the Board of Selectmen.
The roughly 150-seat restaurant is being proposed by Arlington resident William Lyons, of Scituate Street, who most recently managed the Black Horse Tavern in Winchester and has more than two decades of experience in the restaurant business.
Lyons, who will also serve as the restaurant’s general manager, told the board Monday that he’s in it for the long haul. “I think it’ll be really good for the town,” he said. “We’re celebrating the town’s history. It’s a good theme, good business model.”
The restaurant could be up and running as soon as November without any setbacks, according to Lyons’ attorney, John Leone, who also attended Monday’s meeting.
Million-Dollar Project
The 4,500-square-foot space, which has been vacant for about five years, is going to be completely renovated, inside and out, Lyons told the board. The cost of renovations/construction was estimated at $900,000, with another $260,000 projected for initial start-up costs, on Lyons’ application.
Lyons took out a Small Business Administration loan from Cambridge Savings Bank for $960,000, according to the application. Lyons is listed as a 30-percent owner on the application.
A handful of 12.09-percent owners are also named, including Arlington native Paul Krepelka, an NHL player agent who gained fame for dating Jenny McCarthy at the beginning of last year. Paul Tupa, owner of the Red Hat in Boston, is a 9.55-percent owner, according to the application.
The owners signed a 10-year lease with Waltham-based Marley Properties at $126,000 per year ($10,500 per month), according to the application. The lease also has extension options.
Menu
Lyons said Menotomy Grill and Tavern, which will have restaurant seating, including five outdoor tables on the right side of the building from Massachusetts Avenue, a bar and a lounge area, will be “upscale but reasonably priced.”
Entrees range from the Shepard’s Pie for $13, to the Herb Roasted Chicken for $17, to the Dry Aged N.Y. Strip for $22 on the sample menu included with the application. There are also sandwiches, such as the Carolina Pulled Pork Sandwich, listed for about $9, salads for $7 and appetizers, like the Mediterranean Flatbreat or Cayenne and Vinegar Wings, from $7-9.
Selectmen’s Endorsement
The selectmen unanimously expressed excitement for the project.
“It’ll redo the gateway to Arlington,” Selectman Joseph Curro Jr. said.
Lyons said he had opportunities to go elsewhere but believes in this location.
“I know I can do it right,” he said.
The restaurant will have about 118 parking spaces available, according to the application, and the location has another vacant 1,500 square feet in back for possible expansion.
The town has now granted 14 of its 15 all alcohol licenses.
mary garrity
11:03 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Will there be a function room?
John Waller
11:21 am on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Hi Mary,
There is a semi-private dining area (separated by a curtain) in the current plans. If the restaurant ever decides to expand into the additional 1,500 square feet, that could lead to a function room.
Adam Castiglioni
12:23 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Will you have to order food to get a drink at the bar?
Paul
12:30 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
At the beginning of the article it said they will be "celebrating town history" and by the end the menu quotes are typical bland, dull , diwn South pulled pork. Since Corro is gushing how this will "redo the gateway to Arlington" maybe he can make the town police enforce the law and keep the panhandlers and aggressive bum out of that "gateway". And, let's everyone who eats there watch the Selectman who frequent the place to be sure they PAY and dont take anything free.....
Chad
11:55 am on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Paul, what kind of menu would you suggest that "celebrates town history"? I think the name is what they were referring to. Also, how do you suggest enforcing Arlington laws against panhandling (not sure they exist) in the City of Cambridge, which is where that intersection squarely lays?
Good addition to E Arlington, hope it does well. We'll definitely patronize it. Better than an Applebee's.
coco
2:04 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
I don't know who you are... but you are always so negative on your posts.... sad
Stephen H
3:33 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I think this is a great idea!
Billy Lyons is an excellent manager, has a long history of success, will bring Arlington a high class establishment, jobs for our young adults and revenues for the Town. One only has to go to the Black Horse Tavern in Winchester and see that vibrant business to understand what a boon this will be to Arlington.
The location is away from most residential areas, has plenty of parking, is a natural fit with the nearby hotel and is conveniently located near major roadways. The Menotomy Grill and Tavern will be a great addition to the street life for East Arlington.
Luisa
1:36 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
We are excited about this! The Homewood Suites by Hilton-Boston/Cambridge-Arlington guests will have a dining option just steps away from the hotel and based on the reputation of the owner / manager it will offer some great dining, also it's close to 3 buslines, the Minuteman Bikeway and the subway station and accross from the lovely Nature trail so one can dine and then take a stroll or bike to and from, it's all positive!
Bob C
12:26 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
I agree with you 100%, Bill is a class act and a welcome addition here.
The food at the Blackhorse Tavern is excellant and I am sure we can expect the same at this location.
larry
9:51 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Plenty of parking? What? Between the gym and cvs you cannot get a space now.
Reality Check
5:22 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Great a new watering hole for the lushes of Arlington, move along Fusion you have been replaced.
Tim
8:05 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Reality Check ... You are 100% correct Anytime I get take out from there I see some " townie lush " sitting at bar with an egg roll and lots of drinks in front of them!! I guess the " Good Ole Boys ' wont have to go to Harvard Sq anymore to get wasted ....
Wind Dummy 25
9:05 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
Hey just don't go no problem...Sit in the dark and drink if that's what you like...I love a good time and bars are a great place to network. Myself I would rather hang out with lushes and bar flies than tight arss complainers anytime.
Tim
9:16 pm on Wednesday, August 29, 2012
I wouldnt and wont step foot ever in that place....... You must not be from Arlington Wind Dummy... last thing i wanna do is waste my time with DRUNKS
Wind Dummy 25
1:13 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Like I said Timmy, won't be expecting you, no problem... Does it matter where I'm from...You some kind of snob or what? Let's just say I'm from Earth...Been around it more than a few times met ton's of people, and not in the best places a few X's. I'm sorry but folks like yourself are ovahh rated.
Tim
1:28 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Hey Wind Dummy I also have been all around this world .I am no snob . I just don't want to be around drunk Arlington people . There are reasons why I spend most of my summers on Marthas Vineyard. The reason to get away from Arlington. Get the hint?
Ron
12:21 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
If it's so bad in Arlington why stay? Assuming of course that you live in Arlington. I mean with all the drunk Arlington people. You can get three or four times the value for land and house not far away in towns like Littleton or someplace around 495. And you won't have to deal with the town Good Ole Boys.
Mike G.
1:33 pm on Monday, May 20, 2013
"I'm no snob"
"I spend most of my summers on Martha's Vineyard"
Yes you are certainly a man of the people.
McFly
1:52 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
If this is as good as the Black Horse Arlington is in for a treat.
Wind Dummy 25
10:23 pm on Thursday, August 30, 2012
Good for you Tim man, good for you...And I get the hint. You talking old Arlington people or new? It has been pretty convoluted around this burb since I returned. I just use it as a base. On the Vineyard is not such a bad way to summer, nice!
Wow, just caught Eastwood's talk, what a guy.
Come on let's have a scotch. we can rag on both!
Tim
5:35 am on Friday, August 31, 2012
Ron why in the world would I move to Littleton when I work Cambridge ? Add another hour and a half to my commute . I don't think so ...
Tim
3:13 pm on Friday, August 31, 2012
Coco , I am not negetive all the time , heck I am right now on Martha's Vineyard drinking a nice refreshing cocktail . There isn't a negative thought in my head . So you made an incorrect assumption .of me without knowing a thing about me . That like me saying all moonbats are wack jobs .Most are but not every single one .
larry
9:58 pm on Tuesday, May 14, 2013
probably wearing pants with little whales on them & an umbrella in tour glass.
Townie From Another Town
11:26 am on Monday, May 20, 2013
There are a lot of moonbats on MV. How do you cope?
D. Macaris
1:05 pm on Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Anyone hear anything about when they might start hiring? I forwarded my resume through Craigslist last week, but I'm not convinced that when you send anything through there it actually gets to where it's supposed to go. I've been checking for a new ad every day. I would love to work there !!
Marty
12:49 am on Monday, October 29, 2012
Excellent!! With a CVS right next door to the joint I can grab all the PEPTO-BISMOL, IMODIUM, MILANTA, PEPCID A.C. ALKA SELTZER, TUMS, PRILOSEC, AND ZANTAC 75 that I may need to eat some of the high grade dog food they'll be peddling!
Stephan
8:46 am on Friday, December 21, 2012
When is it going to open
Trisha Pallotta
1:14 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
Billy Lyons is one of the few GM's that can make a restaurant burst with flavor and atmosphere!!
Trisha Pallotta
John Waller
1:46 pm on Friday, February 1, 2013
FYI: This story has been updated with a projected open date: http://arlington.patch.com/articles/updated-open-dates-for-three-new-arlington-businesses
Doria Alberg
10:47 am on Monday, May 20, 2013
Wow, what a bunch of grumps on here! Look at the bright side of this and stop griping, Arlington is getting some new jobs and a great new eatery. I grew up in the old old Arlington, not a lot to do then, but it's a fun place now. You people that complain about bad food, drunks etc, stop your bitchin' and enjoy a new place to go out to, and have a drink, whale pants or no....